Muir Creek is unique in its natural richness

and scenic beauty. The diversity of

plant and animal species includes noted

species at risk. The area provides residents

and visitors the opportunity to

experience an accessible example of a

vanishing and unique West Coast Rain

Forest, with an unspoiled fish-bearing

stream. Local residents enjoy the beauty

of Muir Creek for sports, recreation,

education and quiet contemplation. This

resource enhances the quality of life and

provides far-reaching economic, social,

educational, recreational, healthful and

spiritual benefits to the community.

Species at Risk

Muir Creek watershed is one of the few

habitats in British Columbia where the

rare warty jumping slug [Hemphillia

glandulosa] is found. This small creature

is protected in Canada as a red-listed

“Species at Risk”. The British Columbia

government has also identified a

subspecies of ermine [Mustela erminea

anquinae] immediately east of Muir

Creek. This ermine is on the blue list as

being “vulnerable, sensitive or at risk.”

Another species blue-listed in British

Columbia is the band-tailed pigeon

[Colúmba fasciáta]. These are regular

summer residents that roost in small

flocks in the Muir Creek forest. The Pacific

yew is also found in the Muir Creek

area and is on the “special listed” species

list because it is so sensitive to changes

in its environment.

As the Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory

has not been completed west of Sooke

Village, it is possible that other species

at risk are located in the relatively untouched

Muir Creek riparian area. The

Muir Creek watershed provides suitable

habitat for the red-legged frog [Rana

aurora] and the Vancouver Island water

shrew [Sorex palustris brooksi], while

the tree tops may host such creatures as

the Johnson’s hairstreak butterfly [Mitoura

johnsoni].

The east side trail is flat for the first

500 metres and then it continues up

a steep bank and follows along a ridge

another kilometre upstream. In the dry

season when the water is low, it is possible

to cross to the west side of the creek

instead of going up the steep bank. The

west side trail is rudimentary, but very

interesting. Traversing the creek’s gravel

beds, the hiker can enter the stunning

upstream valleys which are studded with

massive cedar and spruce trees, ancient

yews, giant maples and lush ferns.

From the ridge trail on the east side,

old-growth trees can be seen down the

steep embankments and in the creek

valley. The area of the ridge was logged

60 to 70 years ago, and only a few trees

at the top of the ridge are older than 70

years. Most of the ancient trees are in the

low-lying areas beside the creek. Some

of the old growth trees on the embankments

show evidence of surviving a fire

that ravaged areas further away from the

wet zone of the creek: these trees were

spared logging in the past due to the

steep terrain.

The rain forest along the banks of the

creek displays spectacular abundance. It

is filled with wildflowers and medicinal

plants among the more obvious giant

trees, mosses and ferns. The forest is

home to many bird and animal species

including eagles, bear and cougar. The

creek itself hosts healthy, self-sustaining

salmon and steelhead populations. The

overhanging lace of old growth forest

shelters their spawning beds and the

purity of the water is protected by these

guardians.

The forest path has its own particular

enchantments. Amongst living spruce

and firs are the many fallen trees representative

of older forests: some sag

downward; some lie on the floor of the

forest; many, blanketed in verdant moss,

are the nurse logs which provide nutrients

for the young trees growing out

of them. The stillness of the forest is

only mildly broken by the faint sighing,

creaking and groaning of the evergreens.

Eagles call from high in the forest canopy

above and then swoop down to snag fish

from the creek.

About 4.4 km upstream from the coast

is an area known locally as ‘the canyon’.

Here, the creek bed rises significantly and

there are cliffs, huge boulders, waterfalls

and clear, deep swimming pools. Dipper

birds nest on the bank underneath wild-

flowers clinging to the steep slopes. The

second largest cedar and the largest Douglas

fir found by Society members are just

downstream of the canyon. Somewhat

further upstream, past the old logging

bridge, the second largest yew tree listed

in the Provincial Big Tree Registry can be

found

The abundance of deciduous and

evergreen shrubbery including salal,

oceanspray, black twinberry, Oregon

grape, Indian plum, Nootka rose, Himalayan

blackberry, thimbleberry,

salmonberry, trailing wild blackberry, red

elderberry, evergreen huckleberry and red

huckleberry provides an excellent source

of edible fruits for insect and animal species

alike.

In the spring, a riotous carpet of

wildflowers blooms. Thirty species of

herbaceous flowering plants have been

identified. The most abundant showings

of these flowers are along the most

accessible upstream area of the creek.

Throughout the year, a careful observer

will find some of the six species of ferns,

eighteen species of mosses and fourteen

species of lichens as well as many species

of mushroom which have been identified

and catalogued in the area in a 2006 field

study.

More Information

Muir Creek Protection Society

Recreational Activites

Beach Areas

Hydrology

Fossils

Flora

Fauna

What Now?

Sources